Watts Co Bespoke Altar Frontal User Guide
- June 13, 2024
- Watts Co
Table of Contents
Watts Co Bespoke Altar Frontal
Product Information
Thank you for your interest in commissioning a bespoke altar frontal for your church. This document provides detailed information on the ordering process, which consists of 6 main steps:
- Style
- Orphreys
- Fabrics
- Trims
- Embroidery
- Tell us about your Altar
To place an order or inquire further, you can visit our website
at www.wattsandco.com or
contact us at (+1) 888-482-0772 or
(+44) 20 7222 7169.
Step 1: Choose your style
The first step in designing your new altar frontal is to choose the style. We offer the following options:
- Separate Frontal
- Separate Superfrontal
- Combined Frontal & Superfrontal
Please note that our superfrontals have a standard height of 7 including fringe unless otherwise indicated.
Step 2: Choose your orphreys
In this step, you have the option to choose whether you would like orphreys in a contrasting fabric, outlined in braid, on your frontal, superfrontal, or both. The number of orphreys can be selected from 2, 4, or 6, evenly spaced across the frontal. If you require assistance with orphrey placement, we can provide recommendations based on the size of your altar. For altars up to 6ft, we suggest 2 orphreys (maximum 4). For altars between 6ft to 7’10, we recommend 4 orphreys (maximum 6). For larger altars, 6 orphreys are suitable. Special variations on orphrey placement can be accommodated in the design. If you are commissioning a Combined Frontal and Superfrontal, you may also choose to counterchange the fabrics on the superfrontal.
Step 3: Choose your fabrics
In this step, you can select the fabrics for your frontal, including contrasting orphreys if applicable. We offer over 200 exclusive fabrics, which can be viewed on our website. Our experienced design team is available to guide you through possible combinations and assist with decision-making. Sample fabrics can be provided upon request.
Available fabric options include:
- Stag Cloth of Gold
- Sarum Red Gothic
- Comper Purple
- Comper Cathedral
- Blue Bellini
- Green Bellini
- Cream Gothic
Step 4: Choose your trimmings
In this step, you can select the trimmings for your altar frontal. We offer
a wide range of braids and fringes that complement the chosen fabrics.
Frontals and superfroTnrtaaillsBarraeidtsriamnmd Ferdinwgietsh any of our 2
fringes as standard.
Available trimming options include:
- Sarum Red
- Red
- Comper Purple
- Old Gold
- Blue Bellini
- White Braid
- Blue Fringe
- 20mm Blenheim Braids
- 40mm Blenheim Braids
If you have any further questions or require assistance with any step of the ordering process, please feel free to contact us at the provided contact details.
Chose your style
The first step in designing your new altar frontal is to choose the style
.
Please note that our superfrontals have a standard height of 7” including
fringe, unless otherwise indicated.
Latin Style Frontal Latin Style Frontals are trimmed with a traditional
arrangement of outline orphreys in metallic gold braid,
Altar Pall, also known as a Laudian Frontal
Altar Palls drape over an altar, and are trimmed with 3” ‘Bullion’ fringe.
These can be made to cover the top of your altar, along with either 3 or 4
sides. You can choose either rounded or square corners, with the option for
open or closed seams.
Chose your orphreys
The next step in designing your frontal is to choose whether you would like
orphreys in a contrasting fabric, and outlined in braid, on your frontal,
superfrontal, or both.
You have the option of 2, 4, or 6 orphreys to be spaced evenly across the
frontal.
We are happy to make orphrey recommendations based on the size of your
altar, but we would generally suggest the following:
- For altars up to 6ft – 2 orphreys (4 max)
- For altars between 6ft to 7’10” – 4 orphreys (6 max)
- For larger altars – 6 orphreys
If you would like a special variation on the orphrey placement, we would be happy to include this in the design.
If you are commissioning a Combined Frontal and Superfrontal, you may also
wish to counterchange the fabrics on the superfrontal – as in the examples
here.
Chose your fabrics
The next step is to choose the fabrics for your frontal – including your
contrasting orphreys where applicable. We are pleased to offer over 200
exclusive fabrics, which you can view on our website here. Our experienced
design team is on hand to guide you through the possible combinations, and to
help with decision-making if needed.
Please feel free to get in contact if you would like to receive samples of fabrics you are interested in.
Chose your trimmings
We offer a large range of braids and fringes to complement the fabrics of your
altar frontal. Frontals and Superfrontals are trimmed with any of our 2”
fringes, as standard. We use ½” braid around the edge of contrasting orphreys
.
Embroidery option
An additional step is to consider any embroidery that you may like. Our
talented team of hand-embroiderers can cater to any design you desire, and our
design team can offer suggestions on what might be most suitable for your
church. We specialize in traditional hand embroidery techniques, such as
goldwork, silk shading, appliqué, as well as the highest forms of artist-led
machine embroidery. Embroideries can be positioned on a frontal in a number of
ways: Across a superfrontal In the centre of a frontal Within or around the
orphreys
Tell us about your altar
The final step in commissioning a new altar frontal is measuring your altar. We need accurate measurements of the height, depth (or ‘mensa’), and width of the altar. We usually use inches as our main unit of measurement, but cm is also fine to use. Please refer to the diagram as a guideline.
When measuring your altar, ensure that the tape measure is taut, and flat against the surface of your altar (where possible). We recommend that you have someone to assist you, so that measurements can be as accurate as possible. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding your measurements.
How would the frontal be attached
We also need to know how you plan to attach your frontal, so that this can be
considered in the design. This will depend on the type of altar in your
church. If you are unsure how to attach a frontal to your altar, we can make
recommendations. Just contact us with images of your altar, so that our
technical team can assess the best way to attach your new altar frontal.
Freestanding Altars
Our standard altar frontals are held in place with a counterweight rod. The
frontal is attached to linen, which is then draped over the top and back of
the altar. A hem is sewn into the linen to fit a rod, which balances the
weight of the frontal.
Altars against a wall
If your altar is positioned against a wall, then there are typically two ways
to attach your frontal: with a counterweight on the mensa, or with hooks. C
ounterweight on Mensa
Here, the frontal is attached to linen, which drapes over the top of the
altar. A hem is sewn to accommodate a counterweight rod, which can then sit in
a groove (or divot) on the mensa.
For this method, please provide additional measurements of the width of the
groove on your altar, and the distance between the wall and top of the groove.
If possible, please measure the depth of the groove as well.
Hooks
An altar frontal may be attached using hooks – either at the front of the
altar, or at the back of the mensa. Here, we would include a hem for a
suspension rod, to hang the frontal from the hooks. If you attach your frontal
with hooks, we need to know how these hooks are spaced across your altar –
noting the distance between each hook, and how many hooks are used.
If your type of altar is not listed here, do not worry as we will always do our best to accommodate any attachment method. Please note that we are unable to make any changes to your altar directly; if work needs to be done (such as the attachment of hooks or screws), then you would need to plan for this yourself.
If you have any questions, please contact us, we’ll be happy to help.
- Rosie Thompson, Head of Sales & Bespoke
- rosie.thompson@wattsandco.com
- Joshua Minor, Bespoke Co-ordinator
- joshua.minor@wattsandco.com
- Phone +44 20 7222 7169
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>